Photographer's Note

The first photo in my series of Goldfield Ghost Town was a viewpoint heading to the West, towards Phoenix….so I thought I’d offer up one in the opposite direction looking East, this time facing the Superstition Mountains. Obviously not the best direction to shoot against the rising sun, but it did help make for some strong foreground shadows which I thought added a little extra something to the scenery.

So here you have it…flat, dry, covered in prickly trees and cacti, and unrelentingly hot during the summer. I’m thoroughly convinced that the first people to settle here did so in the winter months and thought it was going to be like that year ‘round…..ha, big mistake! It really is an intriguing landscape though, and certainly has its beauty. As I stood on this balcony, fully realizing the current point in time, I still kept expecting to see covered wagons and cowboys on horseback making their way across the desert.

Hey, would you look at that…the cactus in the bottom right corner…could it be? Yep, sure is…the same one from this series of pictures. Doesn’t look quite so imposing from here, does it? :) Looks can sure be deceiving though!

Hello Jason,
nice the view of this section of the Apache junction with the moody and foggy atmosphere to cover the backdrop hill.Good the view from the baclony as the light and the colour management of the scene.

Awesome view Jason, the Superstition-mountain covered with morning clouds and mist is most impressive.
Good DOF from the balcony taken, I'd give up the wall included - but anyway, the wooden railing here added it's shades and made a nice decorated foreground to the whole.
Number of cactuses also gave Arizona texture to the photo.
Best regards,
Ike

Hello Jason,
It's nice to see this scene flipped around. Now we have the wooden house in the foreground, and the tiny-looking cactus next to it. I really like the landscape leading up the mountain, and the moody sky. Perspective is an interesting thing; views can look completely different if we just make some small adjustments.

Hi Jason,
Now I have a better understanding of why this is called Superstition Mountain, I hate to coin the phrase but that is SPOOOOO-KEE! Classic place, that would be just as aptly called Mordor, Hells Pass or possibly Doom Peak. The clouds add such a cool sinister effect, and I truly love that you shot into the sun on this, its enhanced the air of mystery in the whole scene. I love this view, and a beautiful direct light scene.

By including the partial piece of building, you have created a brilliant sense of place in the scene, the whole thing feels like a shot taken many years ago. I see what you mean about expecting the wagons. So now you can add time machine to the balloon chair and any other unique photographic tools you've used!

Nice one linking the cactus back to the other shot too, you're right, it looks so less threatening from here. In saying that though, I still would not like to be shot from a cannon on Superstition mountain and land on it!
Have a great day
Noel

Another amazing view from your newest series Jason!
I feel almost like a sheriff guarding his land.The perspective and POV provide us really magnificent,panoramic view over the whole area.
Another things,that make your image so great are these cloud formations in combination with so lovely light.They really create here unique atmosphere.
What can I write more my friend-Arizona is simply amazing!

Hi Jason,
I like your informative introductory note, well done. Whole my life until today, I was enjoying western movies, mainly movies about immigrants crossing your huge countries from east to west.
I like your photo showing this semi-desert land area. You have selected excellent mountainous background. I am sure it would be nice in late afternoon light which would lit the mountains. Well done.
Wish you a very nice week.
Greetings
Miro

Hi Jason!
Those mountains in the bg are impressive!
This picture is very interesting and attractive!
Management of difficult light, colors, level of sharpness, horizontal format, chosen pov and composition are all very good photo qualities that truly pleased me!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan